OMAGH FAMILIES PRAY FOR INNOCENTS
Omagh families pray for innocents
By JOE GORROD
RELATIVES of people killed in Northern Ireland's worst atrocity united in grief yesterday with victims of the Madrid bomb attacks.
Families who lost loved ones in the Omagh bomb prayed for 200 people killed in the terror attack that has rocked the world.
And the message from the remembrance garden built in memory of the 29 people, including two Spaniards, and unborn twins who died in August 1998 was clear: Our thoughts are with you.
Campaigner Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian died in the Real IRA blast, said: "You do not stand alone. We have been there.
"You are going down the same road as we have went this past five years and we will always be there to support the victims of terrorism."
Speaking at a memorial service organised in the aftermath of the Spanish blast, Mr Gallagher said the event was meant as a show of solidarity with the families who have lost loved ones in the train bombs that injured almost 1,500.
The families said it was a stark reminder of their own nightmare and the community wanted an opportunity to express its understanding and grief.
Mr Gallagher said: "This is the first opportunity for the families and the people of Omagh to show solidarity with those who lost their lives and the survivors in Madrid.
"Last week's bombings brought back all the memories of Omagh, the fact these people were just going about their daily business, the hospitals suddenly overwhelmed with devastation and the communications systems cut off.
"I could understand the panic people were having when trying to contact someone they cared about... you always think the worst."
All main clergies were represented at the service. Father Kevin Mullan, one of the first on the scene in the aftermath of the explosion, led a period of reflection.
Mr Gallagher, who runs the Omagh Victims Group, said: "We were all together when we heard about the bombs.
"You could physically feel the change in people as it sunk in.
By JOE GORROD
RELATIVES of people killed in Northern Ireland's worst atrocity united in grief yesterday with victims of the Madrid bomb attacks.
Families who lost loved ones in the Omagh bomb prayed for 200 people killed in the terror attack that has rocked the world.
And the message from the remembrance garden built in memory of the 29 people, including two Spaniards, and unborn twins who died in August 1998 was clear: Our thoughts are with you.
Campaigner Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian died in the Real IRA blast, said: "You do not stand alone. We have been there.
"You are going down the same road as we have went this past five years and we will always be there to support the victims of terrorism."
Speaking at a memorial service organised in the aftermath of the Spanish blast, Mr Gallagher said the event was meant as a show of solidarity with the families who have lost loved ones in the train bombs that injured almost 1,500.
The families said it was a stark reminder of their own nightmare and the community wanted an opportunity to express its understanding and grief.
Mr Gallagher said: "This is the first opportunity for the families and the people of Omagh to show solidarity with those who lost their lives and the survivors in Madrid.
"Last week's bombings brought back all the memories of Omagh, the fact these people were just going about their daily business, the hospitals suddenly overwhelmed with devastation and the communications systems cut off.
"I could understand the panic people were having when trying to contact someone they cared about... you always think the worst."
All main clergies were represented at the service. Father Kevin Mullan, one of the first on the scene in the aftermath of the explosion, led a period of reflection.
Mr Gallagher, who runs the Omagh Victims Group, said: "We were all together when we heard about the bombs.
"You could physically feel the change in people as it sunk in.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/205
Published Date: 15-Mar-04
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